By Evan Yu ’31
On the four long nights of the Shrek Jr. play, the audience applauded, screamed, and roared as their friends and family’s faces appeared on the auditorium stage of the middle school. With actors’ faces filled with makeup, props, and suits, the play surely was something great. It was certainly a big event and entertaining play, but to answer the big question, we need to dig deeper: What was happening behind the scenes?
Drama teachers Ms. Katie Speed and Ms. Leah Fine, and many other teachers in the building have been working on this play for more than three months, and it has been challenging for the directors.
“This was actually a pretty challenging show because of all the various technical elements. There was so much I’d never done before, and there were so many pieces to the set that were very fragile,” said Speed. “But the actors were overall super easy to work with. They all worked so hard, and the stage crew did an incredible job pulling everything together so quickly and efficiently.”
Despite the difficulties of the rehearsal process, the actors made a productive work environment out of what they had. The actors went through the rehearsals efficiently even with the fragile props that they worked with.
The play was a great place for people who wanted a significant laugh or two, with a considerable challenge. Speed described it as “funny, heartfelt, and challenging.”
Even working behind the scenes was an exceptional time for students in the stage crew. Sumin Evan Lee ’31 said that working behind the scenes was very fun and challenging. Working behind the scenes is the best place to be if you don’t want to be shown upon a crowd, but like contributing to shows. Working behind the scenes was a rare opportunity for Lee, because of the entertaining and intriguing experience stage crew offered.
“Something I would add is some advice. If you are willing to join the stage crew, you would have to really prioritize it other than school,” said Lee.
This also shows that working behind the scenes was challenging, requiring actors to participate frequently.
However, the positive aspect of working behind the scenes for the performers was not just there, it was created by Fine. “I focus most on making sure that all students feel prepared when they get up on stage,” she said. “If the show wasn’t good but students felt good about what they were putting up there, I’d be happy.”
This shows how Fine cares about the students’ feelings and if they were truly happy acting there. For Fine herself, “theatre was a safe space for me when I was a kid, and still is now as an adult, and I wanted to help other kids find that same safe space to shine.”
On a final note, the Shrek Jr. play was much more than just your average school play. Whether it came to Fine and Speed working with delicate and new props, pushing through obstacles and hardships, or making the experience an enjoyable time, the play was truly special. Each and every participant of the play worked persistently.
